Israel announced on Monday that commercial goods could again enter Gaza, ending a multi-day halt caused by a tax disagreement. According to Al-Monitor, the decision was made by COGAT, the Israeli military agency responsible for humanitarian affairs in the territory. The resumption follows a dispute between Hamas authorities and merchants over a specific tax payment, which had previously blocked the flow of food and other essentials into the enclave.
COGAT stated that the halt was resolved after merchants reported that Hamas had withdrawn its demand for a 10,000-shekel payment, roughly $3,225, per truck. Al-Monitor reported that COGAT described the move as part of Israel’s pledge to uphold the humanitarian clauses of the current ceasefire agreement. However, the agency noted that the merchants' financial records had not been independently checked. Consequently, shipments are expected to restart slowly, with emphasis placed on necessary items before the winter season. To prevent future disputes, COGAT said supervision would be strengthened to ensure funds move only through recorded bank transfers, with merchants who paid Hamas directly facing exclusion from the system.
Hamas characterized the 10,000-shekel fee as a voluntary contribution from wealthier Gazans to a national fund supporting those in need, according to Al-Monitor. This dispute occurred against a backdrop of continued reliance on external aid after three years of war and repeated displacement. While a US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025 halted the heaviest fighting, Al-Monitor noted that Israeli attacks have not fully ceased. Local health officials reported on Monday that five Palestinians, including a 14-year-old boy, died in separate strikes in Gaza City and Khan Younis.
Asharq Al-Awsat provided broader context on the political landscape, noting that Palestinian leader Jibril Rajoub recently met with Hamas in Cairo to discuss unified political representation. Rajoub, the secretary general of the Fatah faction’s central committee, urged for a "peaceful confrontation" with the occupation. He described the actions of the Israeli army and settlers as a prelude to a potential explosion in the West Bank. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, these talks came after Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas delayed elections until September 2027. The Cairo meetings aimed to establish a single authority and one legitimate armed force, a goal complicated by the fact that Hamas controlled Gaza since 2007, splitting the two Palestinian territories.